Best TV shows not out on DVD

San Francisco Chronicle television critic Tim Goodman and I have had a lot of bonding time lately. We recently moved our shared workspace (that sounds so metrosexual!) to the third floor, which even involved some light construction projects. Goodman is also about to head to Los Angeles for the Death March With Cocktails/AKA the Television Critics Association press tour. This sounds like fun to the uninitiated, but try being away from your wife and kids for two weeks — even with an endless parade of chocolate fountains.

sportsillustrated.cnn.com

What would you do if I sang out of tune?

So I feel pretty terrible trampling all over his beat, and giving you my not-quite-definitive list of Six TV Shows That Need to Come Out On DVD Right #%&@ing Now.

I was thinking about this the other day, when I was searching for a copy of “It’s Your Move,” a semi-obscure 1980s TV series that tried to capitalize on Jason Bateman’s success as a “Silver Spoons” co-star. After finding out that it wasn’t on DVD, I ran into this list on premiumhollywood.com.

Since this is a parenting blog (sort of), my list of TV shows that are criminally absent from DVD skews toward family-friendly programming. Please add your own picks in the comments. And stick to television shows, not movies. (Look for me to step all over Mick LaSalle’s beat some time in the next few days and present a similar list of films.)

6. “Eight is Enough” (1977-1981)

It makes absolutely no sense that this isn’t on DVD. There have been reunion specials, an E! “True Hollywood Story” and a revival on the PAX network. None of these actors appear to be working, so they would probably do the commentary tracks and any DVD extras for half a cheese sandwich. Until the inevitable happens, I’ll just have to continue watching this YouTube video over and over.

5. “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” (1977)

This one did come out on DVD last year. But not really. Because of some legal issues involving Disney owning the Muppets, the framing spots with Kermit the Frog aren’t in this otherwise thoroughly entertaining Jim Henson-produced Christmas special. It won’t kill Disney’s bottom line to give up a few minutes of Kermit for the good of mankind. Let’s see the whole thing on DVD.

4. “EZ Streets” (1996)

A few episodes of this gritty “The Wire”-like TV program showed up on DVD as part of the Brilliant But Canceled series. We’d like to see the only season in its entirety on one DVD — preferably with creator Paul Haggis ranting on the commentary that his complicated crime drama never reached its incredible potential because the CBS network were more worried about selling advertisements than sticking with a clear winner. (Stupid profit margins.)

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If memory serves, this show was hilarious.

3. “It’s Your Move” (1984-85)

I remember watching Jason Bateman on “Silver Spoons” with my normally skeptical father, who remarked “that kid’s a really good actor.” Not long after that, Bateman got his own show, “It’s Your Move,” which fit his subversive style and was extremely funny. (At least I thought so when I was 14.) The interplay between Bateman as the son of a single mom and David Garrison as a neighbor and potential suitor was excellent. I also distinctly remember a show involving a band made up of school science lab skeletons — the Dregs of Humanity — that was one of the most pants-wettingly funny things I’ve seen on television. We need more smart comedies aimed at tweens, and I’d love to watch this on DVD with my sons when they get a little older.

2. “I’ll Fly Away” (1991-93)

This drama from NBC (with the finale on PBS) was one of the most moving television series of the past two decades, and I never hear anyone talking about it any more. There was a strong “To Kill a Mockingbird” vibe, with Sam Waterston as a district attorney in the deep south (they never specified which state) during the civil rights movement. Regina Taylor was memorable as his housekeeper. The storylines were powerful, but series creators Joshua Brand and John Falsey also managed a lot of subtleties with the characters. Once again, I’d love to some day show this to my kids.

1. “The Wonder Years” (1988-93)

As much as I want this to hit the shelves right #%&@ing now, I also don’t want anyone to rush it out. This is definitely a show that needs the DVD extras, and all of the original music that appeared on the TV show. Dan Lauria’s performance as Jack Arnold may be my all-time favorite as a TV dad. The series perfectly balanced comedy and drama, and unlike other classic TV shows that won’t be named, “The Wonder Years” didn’t go in the tank in the final seasons. It will also hold up better over time than some other series. Get this out on DVD! (But be sure to get it right.)

(And yes, I know some of these are out as imports, bootlegs and VHS tapes. Unfortunately, I sent my VCR to Goodwill with my Member’s Only jacket and Keytar.)